Truth Behind Karbalah Part I

The enemy's of Ahlulbayt (a.s) have perpetuated lies that the Shi'ee had been responsible for the tragedy that transpired in Karbala. The purpose of this article is to refute such claims and bring to light the true face of the enemy. Firstly it is important to establish the term 'Shi'ee' in early Islamic history. One finds it perplexing that the term ‘Ahle Sunnah’ was non existent in early Islamic history and those who comprise of ‘Ahl Sunnah’ today were actually once referred to as ‘Shias’! Unknown to many, the first Shi'ee encompassed all the groups that would later be deemed the present day 'Sunni' and 'Shi'ee'.

Thus it is essential for one to distinguish which group of Shi'ee were responsible. The ‘Twelver Imami Shi'ee’ in those days were called ‘Rafidhi’ (Rejectors). It was these religiously affiliated Shias that are known as ‘Imami Shia’ today. The ‘Imami Shia’ never accepted the Khalifat of Aboo Bakr, Umar, and Uthmaan, Muawiyah, Yazid (Allah's curse be upon them all!), where as the other Shi'ee factions did. The Shias, ‘Shia Rafidhi's’ as they are now known then, became those that upheld the right of Imam Alee (a.s) to be the first appointed khalifah. The forefather of the Nasbis Muawiyah (la) also used this the term 'Rafidhi's' to describe the  followers of Amir Al Momineen (a.s). Salafi Ibn Al Aatham narrated that Muawiyah sent a letter to Amer bin Al Aas (Allah's curse be upon both of them) in which the following words are recorded: 

“The Rafidah of Yemen, Basrah, Kufa and Hejaz are being assembled in aid of Alee bin Abi Taalib”.

Source: Al Futooh, vol. 2, Pg. #  382

 

Similarly the term Shi'ee was also referred to the opposing factions which had been called ‘Shi'ee of Muawiyah’ or ‘Shi'ee of Uthmaan’. The word ‘Shi'ee’ was used for these groups for purely political reasons.  Even Salafi Sheikh Bilal Philips has recorded in his works:

"The term was first used to describe both 'Alee's followers (Shee'ah 'Alee) as well as those of Mu'aawiyah (Shee'ah 'Alee)

Source: Ibn Al Jawzee's The Devil's Deception edited by Bilal Philips Pg. # 39

 

The existence of the ‘Shi'ee Rafidhi's has been abundantly clear from the works of classical Sunni Ulema, who acknowledge that the term ‘Shia’ in the past did not carry the same connotation that it does today. Let us quote the renowned Nasbi scholar, Imam al-Dhahabi: 

علي رضي الله عنه من يوم صفين، ويرون أنهم وسلفهم أولى الطائفتين بالحق، كما أن الكوفيين - إلا من شاء ربك - فيهم انحراف عن عثمان وموالاة لعلى، وسلفهم شيعته وأنصاره، ونحن - معشر أهل السنة - أولو محبة وموالاة للخلفاء الاربعة، ثم خلق من شيعة العراق يحبون عثمان وعليا، لكن يفضلون عليا على عثمان، ولا يحبون من حارب عليا من الاستغفار لهم فهذا تشيع خفيف..

“Yes, most of the Syrian populations from the days of (the battle of) Siffeen rejected the Caliphate of Amir-al-Momineen Alee and considered themselves and their ancestors righteous for doing so. The Kufans likewise deviated from Uthmaan and loved  Alee over him because their ancestors were the Shias and helpers whilst we, the Ahle Sunnah love all four of the Caliphs. There was also a third group of Shias in Iraq who loved both  Alee and Uthmaan but still preferred  Alee over Uthmaan and had an extreme dislike of those that fought  Alee at the same time they would supplicate, asking forgiveness of those that fought Alee. This was a softer version of Shia”

Source: Al-Dhahabi, Meezaan al-`Itidaal, vol. 6, Pg. 153

 

 Also Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani says:


“According to the early scholars, Shiat meant to have faith on Alee having preference over Uthmaan, and `Alee was correct in his wars and those who opposed him were in error, although they preferred the Shaykhayn over them (Uthmaan and Alee)...


(But Ibn Hajr does not stop there he continues to say)


And maybe some of their beliefs was that `Alee was the best creation after the Messenger of Allāh (saw), and if they believe that, and have devote faith, truthful and diligent, then there is no disallowing his narrations, and if it is not with other motives. As for the shee`ism that is known to the muta’akhireen (later scholars), it is the pure Rafd (rejection), and it is not permissible to accept narrations from a raafiDee, ghaali and not from a kiraami”


Source: Ibn Hajr, Tahdheeb al-Tahdheeb, vol. 1, pg. #  94

 The mitigating conclusion is that the ‘Shias of Kufa’ accepted the Caliphate of the Shaykhayn (Aboo Bakr and Umar). Some Kufan Shias rejected the Caliphate of Uthmaan bin Affan in the same manner that the people of Syria rejected the Caliphate of  Imam Alee (عليه السلام) . Others while sympathetic to Uthmaan bin Affan, still preferred Imam Alee (عليه السلام) . This particular faction not only believed in the Caliphate of the first three Caliphs but also prayed for forgiveness of all of those who fought against Imam Alee (عليه السلام) such as Ayesha (لعنت اللہ), Talha (لعنت اللہ), Zubair (لعنت اللہ), Muawiyah (لعنت اللہ) and so forth.